Method and apparatus for anastomosis including annular joining member

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for performing a surgical anastomotic procedure are disclosed herein. Apparatus according to the present disclosure include a tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the tubular body including an expandable anchor provided near the distal end thereof and an expandable cuff provided near the distal end of the tubular body and proximal of the expandable anchor, and a joining member (200) configured and adapted to be received about the expandable cuff of the tubular body, the joining member having an annular body portion (202) including a pair of opposed terminal edges (204, 206). The joining member has a retracted position in which the pair of opposed terminal edges overlap by a predetermined amount and an expanded position in which the pair of opposed terminal edges overlap by an amount less than the predetermined amount.

Description

BACKGROUND1. Technical FieldThe present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for anastomosing two hollow body parts and, more particularly to apparatus and methods for anastomosing a urethral stump of a patient to the bladder following a radical prostatectomy.2. Background of Related ArtAnastomosis is the bringing together and / or joining of hollow or tubular structures. Most body conduits are generally cylindrical in configuration and have a circular cross-section. When it is desired to suture such a conduit, typically for attachment to another body conduit, sutures are placed around the circumference of the conduit in order to maintain the patency of its lumen or channel. This type of attachment is commonly referred to as an anastomosis. It can be appreciated that the sutures made on top of the conduit (i.e., on the side facing the surgeon) in an anastomosis are made relatively more easily than the sutures made underneath the conduit (i.e., on the side facing away from the s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent describes an apparatus and method for performing a surgical anastomotic procedure. The apparatus includes a tubular body with an expandable anchor and an expandable cuff, and a joining member that can be received about the cuff. The joining member has a retracted position in which its terminal edges overlap by a predetermined amount, and an expanded position in which the terminal edges have a smaller overlap. The joining member has a longitudinally oriented body with at least one annular array of openings and at least one tab extending from the body. The joining member can be fabricated from a bio-absorbable material, a bio-compatible material, or a shape memory alloy. The method involves positioning the apparatus in a body lumen and through an opening in a body vessel, expanding the expandable anchor to secure the tubular body in position, and then expanding the expandable cuff to secure the joining member in position. The apparatus and method can be used in a radical prostatectomy procedure.

Problems solved by technology

In each of the above described procedures, it is the attachment of the urethral stump to the bladder neck which is particularly difficult and complex.

This difficulty is complicated by the tendency of the urethral stump to retract into adjacent tissue.

As a result, considerable time and effort must be expended to re-expose the urethral stump and begin the re-anastomosis procedure.

Further complicating this procedure is the fact that the urethral stump is hidden beneath the pubic bone thus requiring that the surgeon work at a difficult angle and in positions that are uncomfortable and limiting.

In general, none of the devices disclosed in the prior art references above is simple to use or makes the anastomosis of the urethral stump to the bladder neck easier.

As such, each surgical procedure using prior art devices continues to be time consuming and requires great skill in order to be performed.

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